Everett, WA – Everett Men's Basketball was back in action on Saturday afternoon, hosting 6-4 Yakima Valley College, a team the Trojans lost to 85-78 back on December 7th at the Spokane Tournament. EvCC is coming off the Crossover Tournament in Portland where the Trojans went 1-2 in three games, but narrowly lost 56-54 to #1 ranked Lower Columbia. At 6-6, the Trojans had just two NWAC opponents remaining on the schedule before the start of north region play.
EvCC took the rematch personal jumping out an early lead, using a 17-2 run and three straight three's to build a 15 point lead. With 6 minutes remaining in the half Everett had their largest lead of the half at 34-13 when Riley Weimer buried a three, the 7th triple of the game for the Trojans. Everett kept the 20 point cushion for the remainder of the half Yakima's Clay Delp hit a three at the buzzer to bring YVC back to within 17 at the break. Nate Harding and Henry Ihrig led the Trojans in first half scoring with 11 and 10 respectively.
Yakima chipped away at their deficit in the second half as turnovers began to mount for EvCC . Fifteen second half turnovers allowed Yakima to climb all the way back and trailed by just three with 30 seconds remaining. But down the stretch EvCC regained composure and calmly hit four big free throws to help seal the game. Riley Weimer hit two on a one and one as did Nate Harding, and that was enough to seal the 85-80 win.
Myles Shields had a career high 20 points and added 13 rebounds, one of which was a put back dunk that wowed the crowd. Nate Harding had a near career high with 21 points and made 5 of 9 from beyond the arc. All five starters scored in double figures, and Eric Thomas had 8 points and 7 rebounds off the bench.
The Trojans finish out the non-conference schedule with a scrimmage on December 29th against a club team, and then travel to Tacoma to face TCC, who is undefeated at 10-0 and ranked #2 in the NWAC. That game is set for January 2nd with a 5:00pm tip off.